Heater



Feb. 20, 194:0. c. F. DENNl-:Y

HEATER Original Filed Feb. 21. 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 M ATTORNEY' Feb.2o,194o. QEDENNY 'n 2,191,273

HEATER original Filed Feb. 21, '19:55 7 sheets-sheet z Feb. 20, 1940. c;FQDENNEY I 2,191,273

HEATER original Filed Feb. 21, 1935 7 sheets-sheet s OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD V Feb. 20, 1940. c. F. DENNl-:Y

HEATER 7 'Sheets-.Sheet 4 Original Filed Feb. 21, 1935OOOOOOCOOUOOOOOOOO .GOCOOOOOOOOOOO Nliv.. oo ooooooooooooooooooo an@ am`fATTORNEY Feb. 20, c. F. DENNEY 2,191,273

I v HEATER I original Filed Feb. 21, 1933 v sham-sneersl o c c o o f haATTORNEY' c. F. DENNl-:Y y'

HEATER Original Filed Feb. 21. 1933 7 Smets-sheet '7 INVENToR @bmw/Worf05m/Ey w ATTORNEY YWN. m

Patented Feb. 20, 1940 HEATER Courtlandt F. Denney, Westfield, N. J.,assigner to Foster Wheeler Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporationof New York Application February 2.1, 1933, Serial No. 657,799 RenewedJanuary 6, 1938 21 Claims.

This invention relates t heaters and more particularly relates to tubestills for heating fluids such as petroleum, vegetable oils and thelike.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved method andapparatus for heating fluids such as petroleum to desired temperatureswith au accurate and flexible temperature control.

This object is attained in general by causing the fiuid to be heated toflow in one or more confined streams through a heat absorbing Zone,subjecting the fiuid to the heat of 'one or more `streams of products ofcombustion flowing through the heat absorbing zone and controlling theone or more streams of products of combustion, either as to volume ordirection or both, to thereby control the quantity of heat absorbed byeach stream of fluid in passing through the heat` absorbing zone. Thefluid in vpassing through the heat absorbing zone is preferably, but notnecessarily, subjected principally to radiant heat and the iiuid priorto its introduction into the said heating Zone may be preheated to anydesired degree by the products of combustion leaving the said heatingZone or otherwise.

The principles of the invention will be fully understood from thefollowing description, when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a tube still embodying thepresent invention, the section being taken substantially on line I-I ofFig. 2; y

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View, taken substantially on thebroken line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is' a transverse sectional View, taken on -line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View, taken substantially on line llofFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on a 'somewhat enlarged scale,taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 'l-l ofFig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of part of the damper operating mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 11 arediagrammatic views illustrating one arrangement ofthe tubes and connecting headers of the convection bank, Fig. 10indicating the arrangement ofthe headers at the `said walls.

. of the furnace chamber (c1. 19e-11o) left hand end vof the convectionbank as seen in Fig. 5 looking-from left to right, while Fig. 11 is aview of the header arrangement of the right hand end of the convectionbank also looking from left to right with regard to Figure 5;

Figs, 12 and 13 are diagrammatic illustrations of another arrangement oftubes and headers of the convection bank, the figures being similar t0Figs. i0 and 11, respectively;

` Figs. 14 and' 15' are diagrammatic views illustrating the arrangementof tubes and headers of the tube bank disposed above the floorof thefurnace chamber, Fig. 14 illustrating the header arrangement of theright hand end of the oor tube bank as seen in Fig. 1, looking from leftto right toward the headers, while Fig. 15 indicates the headerarrangement of the left hand end of the iioor tube bank also lookingfrom left to right with regard toFigure 1; and

Figs. 16 and 17 'are diagrammatic views illus- Atrating the arrangementof the tubes and headers of the tube bank disposed below the roof of thefurnace chamber, Fig. 16 illustrating the header arrangement of theright hand end .of the tube bank as seen in Fig. 1, looking from left toright toward the headers, while Fig. 17 illustrates the headerarrangement of theleft hand end of the tube bank also looking from leftto right with regardto Figure 1.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring tol the drawingsyreference character I0 designates a furnace.or heating chamber having a front wall II, rear wall I2, side walls I3and I4, floor I5 and roof I6. Suitable means, such as the burners I1,are provided for effecting the combustion of fuel and providingrelatively intense sources of radiant heat in the heating chamber. Asshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 1, burners 'I 'I are disposed in front wall I Ibut may be otherwise located if desired. The specific arrangement of theburners and their construction will presently be described. A convectionheat absorbing chamber l'disposed to the rear of heating chamber I 0, orto the right thereof as viewed in Fig. .1, is enclosed by a front wallI9, rear wall 2li, side Walls 2l and 22, oor 23 and roof 24. As shown,wall I9 is spaced from wall I2 to provide a space or alleyway whichextends the length of Roof 24 of the convection section is shown at asomewhat lower level than the roof I6 I0. A suitable roof structureZcovers the chambers I0 and I8.

A bank of fluid conveying tubes 21 is disposed in the convection sectionIand'the fluid flowing through these tubes is heated by absorbing heatfrom the products of combustion which flow over the tubes 2 in directcontact therewith. As indicated in the drawings, these tubes extendlongitudinally of the convection section and are arranged in verticallyspaced rows with the tubes of each row staggered with respect to thetubes in the adjacent row or rows.

A bank of radiant heat absorbing tubes 28 is disposed in the furnacechamber I0 under and immediately below the entire roof it and as shown,extend transversely, or in a direction at right angles to the directionof extent of the tubes 27 of the convection bank. The fluid owingthrough these tubes is heated principally by absorbing heat radiatedfrom the products of combustion flowing through the furnace chamber I0.As shown, the tubes 28 are arranged in two vertically spaced superposedrows with the tubes in one'row staggered with respect to the tubes inthe other row. It will be understood, however, that the tubes 2S may bearranged in asingle row or in any desired number of rows and may extendunder a portion only of the furnace roof, if desired.

Another bank of radiant heat asorbing tubes 29 is disposed in thefurnace chamber l0 immediately above the floor l5. As shown, these tubes29 extend transversely to the direction of extent of the tubes 2l' andare arranged in a single row, but it will be understood that more thanone row may be used and that the tubes may extend parallel to the tubes2l, if desired. As in the case of the roof tubes 28, the iiuid flowingthrough the oor tubes 29 is heated principally by absorbing heatradiated from the streams of products of combustion flowing through thefurnace chamber l0. It will be understood that fluid conveying tubes mayalso, if desired, be disposed in one or more of the walls H, l2, it andI4.

The fluid to be heated enters the lower end of the convection bank oftubes 27 and after owing through the entire bank is conducted to theradiant heat absorbing tubes 29 and after flowing therethrough isconducted to the radiant heat absorbing tubes 28 where it preferablyenters the lower row of tubes and after flowing therethrough enters andflows through the upper row of tubes after which it is withdrawn fromthe still. If desired, however, the iiuid after passing through thetubes 2l may be delivered directly to the roof tubes 28 in which event,the floor tubes 29 would be omitted, or the fluid may be delivered toboth the oor and roof tubes from the tubes 2l, as will presently bedescribed. The roof tubes 28 of the radiant heat absorption section areconnected by suitable headers or return bends 30 in such manner that thefluid to be heated ows through the tubes 28 in one or more paths offlow. The floor tubes 2Q are connected by suitable headers 3i so thatthe fluid to be heated flows through those tubes in one or more paths offlow, and the tubes 2l of the convection bank are connected by headersor return bends 32 in such manner that the fluid passing therethroughows through the tubes 2l in one or more paths of flow. The number of thepaths of flow through the convection, floor and roof tubes is preferablybut not necessarily equal. As illustrated in the drawings, the tubes inthe convection and both radiant heat banks are connected by headers soarranged as to provide four separate and independent paths of fluid flowthrough the entire still.

One possible header arrangement of the tubes 2lA of the convection bankis shown in Figs. 10

and 11. Referring to these figures, the fluid to be heated enters theconvection bank through four separate inlets 33, 3d, 35 and 36, thefirst two of these inlets being disposed at the left hand end of thebank as seen in Fig. 5 and the other two inlets being disposed at theright hand end of said bank. Fluid for the iirst path of flow indicatedA on the drawings, enters inlet 33 and flows through tube 2l designatedal which is connected to the inlet 33 and into and through the headerindicated w1 b1 connecting the right hand ends of the tubes a1 and b1 asseen in Fig. 5, to the adjacent tube b1 to the left of the tube a1 asseen in Fig. l0 and in the same row therewith. From tube bil the fluidflows into and through header b1 c1 at the left hand end of the tubes,as seen in Fig. 5, thence through header c1 d1 to the tube d1 in the rowof tubes immediately above the bottom row, thence through header d1 e1to tube el, through tube e1 to header el f1, from tube f1 to header f1g1 to tube g1 in the row immediately above, thence through tube g1,header g1 h1, tube h1, header h1 il, tube i1 and through headerz'1 il totube 7'1 in the row above, and thence through the other tubes andheaders in the iirst path of flow in alphabetical order in the samemanner until the iluid reaches tube r1. From tube r1 the uid flowsthrough header 1'1 s1 to tube s1 in the row of tubes immediately abovethe row in which the tube r1 is disposed, and through tube S1 and headers1 t1 to and through tube t1 toheader t1 u1, through tube al and header11.1 o1 to tube o1 in the row immediately above, and thence throughheader o1 w1 to tube w1 and thence upwardly to the succeeding rows andthrough the tubes in each row in the first path of flow as has beendescribed, to tube :r1 in the uppermost row of the bank of tubes 2liuntil the fluid reaches the tube .el which is connected at its left handend as shown in Fig. 5 to the connecting line 3l from which the iiuidmay be delivered to either the roof tubes 28 or the floor tubes 29, orboth as desired.

The fluid for the second path of iluid flow, indicated B on thedrawings, enters inlet 34 connected to tube a in the lowermost row ofthe tubes 2l, and with reference now to Figs. 10 and 1l, the fluid iiowsthrough tube a3, header a3 b3, tube b3, header b3 c3, tube c3, header c3d3 to the tube d3 in the row immediately above the lowermost row,through tube d3 and header d3 e3, through tube e3, header e3 f3, tubef3, header f3 g3 to tube g3 in the next row above, and thence in likemanner in alphabetical order through the tubes and headers of the secondpath of flow in the succeeding rows above until the uid flows to andthrough tube r3 whence it flows through header r3 s3 to and through tubes3 in the next row above through header s3 t3, tube t3, header t3 us,tube n3 and header a3 o3 to tube v3 in the row next above, and thence inlike manner through the tubes and headers of the second path of flow inthe succeeding rows in order until the fluid reaches tubes z3 in theuppermost row of tubes El of the convection bank, whence the fluid willbe conducted through connecting line 38 to that part of the second pathof fluid flow in the radiant heat absorbing tubes 28 or 29 or both.

The fluid for the third path of iluid flow indicated C, will enter theinlet 35 which is connected to tube a5 (Figs. l0 and ll) in thelowermost row of tubes 2l of the convection bank and will flow inalphabetical order through the tubes and headers designated by theletters a, b, c', etc., with the exponent 5 in a manner similar in allrespects to' the manner in which the fluid hows through the convectionbank of tubes 21 in therst and `second paths of flow. In View of theforegoing explanation of the manner in which the fluid flows throughthat part of the rst and second paths which lie in the convection bank,it is vdeemed unnecessary to describe in detail the .reaches the tube zin the uppermost row of tubes of the convection bank whence it isconducted through connecting line 39 to the radiant heat absorbingsection.

The fluid for the fourth path of flow through the still, indicated D,enters through inlet 36 connected with tube al (Figs. and 11) in thelowermost rrow of tubes 2l of the convection bank. and flows inalphabetical order through the tubes and connecting headers of thefourth path upwardly through the several rows of tubes until the fluidreaches tube z'l disposed in the uppermost row of tubes of theconvection bank in a manner similar. to the manner in which the fluidflows through the first three paths of flow in the convection bank. Fromtube e1 the fluid flows through connecting line 40 to the radiant `bythe headers 3l as to provide four independent paths of fluid flow,indicated E, F, G andv H. Fluid for path E enters through pipe 42 (Figs.14 and 15) and flows through tube indicated a2 to header' a2 b2 to andthrough tube b2, header b2 c2 tube c2 and so on in like manner throughthe remaining tubes and headers in the path E in alphabetical orderuntil the fluid reaches the last tube in the path E, designated r2, andflows from the path through pipe 43. Fluid for the second path F entersthrough pipe 38 and flows through tube a4, header a4 b4, tube b4, headerb4 c4, tube c4 and so on in like manner in alphabetical order throughthe remaining tubes and headers in path F until the fluid reaches thelast tube r4 in the path and is conducted from the path by pipe 43.Fluid for path G enters through pipev 39 and flows through tube a6,header as bs, tube h6, header h6 c6, tube c6 and so on in the samemanner in alphabetical order through the remaining tubes and headers inpath G until the fluid reaches tube r6 and is conducted from the paththrough pipe 53. Fluid for thefourth path H enters through pipe k56 andflows through v tube a2, header a8 bs, tube bs, header b3 o8, tube c8and so on in a similar manner through the remaining tubes in path Huntil the uid reaches tube r2 and lis withdrawn from the path throughpipe 53.

As shown, the roof tubes 28 are connectedA by ythe headers 30 so as toalso provide four separate and independent paths of fluid ow, I, J, Kand L. Referring now more particularly to Figs. 16 and 1'7, fluid forpath I enters through pipe 43 and flows into and through tube a12 in thelower row of roof tubes 28 and into and through header L12 b12, to andthroughtube b12, thence through header b12 cl2 to and through tube cl2and in like manner through the succeeding tubes and'headers ofthe path Iin alphabetical order as indicated in Figs. 16 and 17, until the uidreaches the tube S12 at the end of the-lower row of tubes in path I,whence the oil will flow through header $12 i12 to the end tube t12 ofthe upper row, then through said tube and header 'i12 1.512, to andthrough tube u12 to header M12 U12 and so on in the same manner inalphabetical order through the tubes and headers of the path I in theupper row until the uid reaches the tube indicated 212, whence the fluidwill flow therefrom into the outlet Gil which conducts the fluid passingthrough the path I from the still. Fluid for the second path J of theroof tubes enters through pipe 48 and liows into f and through tube a14through header a11 D14, tube 1114, header Z714 C14 and so on in the samemanner through the remaining tubes and headers of the second path J inthe lower row of the tubes 28 until the fluid reaches tube .S14 in thelower row whence it will be conducted through header S14 i514 to tube 14in the upper row of tubes v23 and will flow therethrough and throughheader t14 um to tube @L14 and thence in like manner through theremaining tubes and headers in the upper row of the second path J untilthe fluid reaches .the tube 214 from which it will be conducted from thestill through outlet 6l. Fluid for the third path K enters through `pipe53 and flows into and through tube am, header als ble, tube b16 andthrough the tubes and connecting headers in alphabetical order in amanner vsimilar to that previously described through the lower row oftubes of the path K until the uid reaches tube S16 whence it will beconducted through headers s16 tls to tube t16 in the upper row of tubesin path K, whence it will ow through the upper row of tubes andconnecting headers of the path K until it reaches tube 216, from whichit will be withdrawn through outlet 62 and conducted from the still.Fluid for the fourth path L through the roof tubes 28 enters throughpipe 58 and flows into and through pipe ala, header als D18, tube 1218and so on in alphabetical order throughthe tubes and connecting headersof the lower row of path K until it'reaches vtube 'S18 at the end of thelower row, whence it flows through header S18 tls to the end tube t18 inthe upper row of tubes of path L and thence through the upper row oftubes and connecting headers of this path to tube 212 from which it iswithdrawn through outlet 63.

In the form of the invention shown, theA paths of fluid flow through theconvection section are connected to the paths through the radiant heatsection in the following manner: Referring particularly to Figs. 2', 3vand 5, connecting line 37 extends toward the furnace l!) and connectswith apipe d3 which conducts fluid from the group A of floor tubes 29.Pipe 31 is controlled by a valve 4l. A pipe 42 controlled by a valve 42'connects with line 3l' and is adapted to conduct fluid from line 3l tothe group E of floor tubes 29. A Valve 44 controls line 43. With thisarrangement, it will be seen that fluid from the first pathl of flowthrough the convection bank of tubes 2l may be conducted either to thefloor tubes and thence to the roof tubes 28, or may be delivereddirectly from the convection tubes to the roof tubes or may be deliveredto both the roof tubes and floor tubes. 'Other types of connections foraccomplishing this result may be utilized if desired. Line 38, whichconveys fluid from tube group B, connects with group F of the floortubes and is controlled by a valve45. Line 48 connects group F withgroup J of the roof tubes and is controlled by a valve 49. Line 46,controlled by valve 41,'connects line 38 with line 48 so that, ifdesired, the fluid may be delivered from the convection bank directly tothe roof tub-es without passing through the door tubes or the fluid maybe delivered to both the roof tubes and the oor tubes. Line 3Q,controlled by valve B, connects group C of the convection bank withgroup G of the floor tubes and line 53, controlled. by Valve 53,connects group G with group K of the roof tubes. Line 5l, controlled byvalve 52, connects line 39 directly with line *53 so that the fluid fromgroup C of the convection bank may be delivered directly to group K ofthe roof tubes, without passing through the floor tubes or may bedelivered to both. Line controlled by valvev 55, connects group D of theconvection tubes with line 58, controlled by valve 5i) which connectsfloor tube group H with roof tube group L and line 5E, controlled byvalve E?, connects line Ml with the iloor tube group I-i. W'ith thisarrangement, fluid may be delivered from vgroup D directly to group Lwithout passing through floor tube group I-I or it may be delivered toboth groups L and I-I.

As shown, principally in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, oor tube groups E, F, G andI- are disposed directly under the roof tube groups I, J, K and Lrespectively.

It will thus be seen, that in the exempliication of the inventionheretofore disclosedfour separate and independent paths of flow areprovided for the fluid in its passage through both the convectionandvradiant heat absorbing sections of the still, In order tosatisfactorily control the quantity of heat absorbed by the fluid ineach of the several paths of flow, burners l'i' are preferably arrangedand disposed so that each burner or group of burners supplies a streamof products of combustion flowing through the heating chamber, which ismore or less separate from each of` the other streams of' combustiongases, and with each of the said streams normally flowing,

in general, in a direction such that the central portion of the streamlies substantially in a vertical plane which passes substantiallythrough the central portion of each oi the groups of tubes 28 and 2,9,which constitute the several paths of flow through the radiant heatabsorbing section. This arrangement of the burners is particularly wellshown in Figs. 2 and l of the drawings, wherein it will be seen that theburners il are arranged in four groups of four burners each. Each of thegroups of burners l'l is arranged substantially centrally of each of thegroups of tubes 28 and 29, which constitute the several paths of fluidiiow through the radiant heating section as previously described, or inother words, a vertical plane which passes centrally through each groupof burners l1 will pass through the approximate center of each group oftubes 28 and 29 which forms the several paths of fluid ow through theradiant heat absorbing section.

Burners ll, as shown, are gas burners, but it will be understood thatany other types of burners, such as coal, oil or the like, may beemployed without departing from the principle. of the invention. Eachburner l'l comprises a rectangular distributing member 55 and aplurality of refractory blocks 66 provided with circular apertures 61.The blocks 66 are shown more or less diagrammatically in the drawingsand the blocks 65 for each burner appear to be a single block, but itwill be understood that the refractories for each burner are comprisedof a plurality of block units. As best shown in Fig. 2,

. each distributingv member 65 has two spaced gas pipes 68 securedthereto and which are connected at their; opposite ends to gas headers69, the arrangement` being such that each header 68 sup plies gas fortwo adjacent burners. A Valve in each header @9 controls the supply ofgas to one of, the burners l'l connected thereto and another valve ll ineach header 69 controls the supply or" gas to the other burner connectedthereto. Headers 69 which supply gas to the four burners l'l disposed inthe zone of tube groups E and I (Fig. 2) are connected to a header 12,the ends of the header "l2 being connected between the valves lll and'll as shown. Header 'i2 is in turn connecte-d by connection 'Itcontrolled by valve 'Vl' to gas manifold 34. Headers E9 which supply gasto burners l1 in the zone of tube groups F and J are connected to aheader 'i3 which is in turn connected by connection 'I8 controlled byvalve 19 to manifold 84. Headers @El which supply gas to the burners l'lin the zone of tube groups C+ and K are connected to a header 'lil whichis connected to manifold B4 by connection @il controlled by valve 3| andthe headers 63 which supply gas to the burners in the zone of tubegroups I-I and L are connected to a header '15, which is connected tomanifold Bit by connection 32 controlled by valve 83. With thisarrangement, it will be apparent that the burners il may be individuallycontrolled as to intensity of iiring or shut oi altogether by the propermanipulation of the valves 10 and 1I, and that the groups oi burners inthe zones of each of the tube groups in the radiant section may becontrolled by manipulation of the Valves 11, 19, tl and In this manner aclose, accurate and flexible control of the firing of the still and theradiant heat absorbed by the fluid in each of the several paths of flowmay be obtained.

To also control the temperature of the uid passing through each of thepaths of ow or to control the quantity of heat absorbed by the fluidflowing through each of the paths of flow, means are provided forcontrolling the direction of iiow or" the several streams of products ofcombustion from the burners l'l through the furnace l chamber l@ to theconvection bank 2l. As shown, such means comprises a plurality of spacedflues 9b with dampers Si controllingthe flues. Each of the Iiues 90 ispreferably disposed in line with a group of burners ll and thecorresponding groups of tubes 28 and 29 which constitute the severalpaths of fiuid flow through the furnace chamber lil as indicated inFigs. 2 and 3. The ilues @E serve to conduct the products of cornbustionfrom the heating chamber It to the convection bank of tubes 2l. In theform of the still shown in the drawingathe convection chamber I3 isshorter in length than the width of the furnace chamber or, in otherwords, the distance between the side walls 2l and 22 of the convectionchamber EB is less than the distance between the side walls I3 and lllof the heating chamber lli. With this arrangement the two end liues 9Spass through wall l2 and are curved to connect with the ends of theupper part of the convection chamber, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The twocentral iiues 9B pass both through walls it and i9 and have theiroutlets connected with the convection chamber and are separated from thealleyway 25 by walls 92. As indicated, each flue Si) is controlled bytwo cooperating dampers 2l which are mounted so as to rotate in ahorizontal plane. Any suitable means may be utilized for operating thesedampers. As shown, particularly in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. the

` end to a link ll which in'turnis pivoted-to anr lowerl damper of eachof the sets of dampers has a gear 93 xed to the damper shaft 94. 'Gear93 meshes with a worm 95 iiXed to one endof a vertically disposedoperating shaft 96 having Aal hand wheel 97 xed adjacent the oppositeend. Shaft 96 supported at its ends by brackets 98 and 99 as clearlyshown, is disposed so that the hand operating wheel 91 is located in thealleyway 25. An arm M39, xed at one end to each of the lower dampershafts 94, is pivoted at the other arm |92 which is fixed at vone end tothe upper damper shaft I 93. will be seen that the twov dampers in eachflue are interconnected so as to be operated ysimultaneously and thatthe dampers in each nue may be readily operated so as to be open to anyldesired degree or entirely closed.

A collecting chamber is provided intermediate the flues 99 and the banklof convection tubes 2l in order to commingle the separate streams ofproducts of combustion passing through the several flues 99 before theproducts of combustion flow .over the tubes in the convection bank. Asshown, the collecting chamber indicated H15 is disposed above the bankof convection tubes 27 and immediately to the rear, `or to the vright asseen in Fig. l, of the lues 99. From the collecting chamber 95 theproducts oi combustion flow over the convection bank of vtubes 2'! Aandpass from the bottom of the convection section I8 through a plurality ofoutlet fines 09 which conduct the combustion gases to a stack or induceddraft fan, not shown. Each ofthe outlet iiues 96 is controlled by twocooperating dampers lill which may be actuatedv by any suitable meanssuch as the levers i98 shown. As shown infFigL 2,

Ithe outlet ues 99 are iive in number but it will be evident that anyother convenient number of outlet iiues may be employed.

The tubes 2l of the convection bank are supported intermediate theirends bya plurality of tube supporting plates indicated 99 in Figs. 2 and5. l

The operation is as follows: The fluid to be heated enters each of' theseveral paths'of flow through inlets 33, 34, 35 and 39 and ilowsthroughv that part of each of the paths of flow previously described,which lie in the convection bank.

From the convection bank the uid is conducted through connecting lines31, 33, 39 and 49 to the iioor tubes 29 and thence to the roof tubes 28or to both the iioor tubes and roof tubes depend-v ing upon the positionof the valves in the connections between the convectiontubes and thefloor and roof tubes as previously described. From the roof tubes, theiiuid is conducted from the still through outlets 69, 5l., land 93.`Gras or other suitable fuel is supplied to the burners l? and theseburners effect the combustion of the fuel supplied thereto and are thesources of separate and independent streams of products of combustionwhich now from the burners through the heating chamber, to and throughthe ilues 99. It will be understood that these streams of products ofcombustion are sources of radiant heat and that with the arrangement ofthe several paths of iiuid flow through the tubes 29 and 29, togetherwith the corresponding arrangement of the burners il and the lues '99,as previously described, it will be apparent .that the iluid iiowingthrough the several paths of dow will absorb radiant heat vfrom each ofthese streams, the amount or quantity of the heat so absorbed depending,of course, upon the operation ofthe With this arrangement it `burners I1and/or the positions of the dampers 9i in the flues 99. The products'ofcombustion Awhich pass through lues 99 enter the collecting dampers maybe so operated as to control the quantity or radiant heat absorbed bythe fluid passing'through each of the several paths of flow.

For example, should it be desired that the fluidpassing through therpathindicated I or EI in Figs. 2 and 3 be not heated to as high atemperature as the fluid passing through the other paths of nowindicated J, K and L or FJ, GK and in the same iigures, it will merelyIbe necessary to operate dampersy 9E in flue 99, `which is indicated Win Fig. 2, so that the products of combustion from the group of burnersIl for the path I or EI are diverted to oneor more of the other iiues X,Y and Z, or alternatively or as supplementary to the iiue control, theintensity of the firing of the group of burners Il directly below thepath I or EI may be somewhat diminished so that heat radiated from thestream of products of combustion issuing from this group of burners I1will not be as intense. In like mannerit willv be seen that by properlycontrolling the several ues W, X, Y and Z by the operation lof thedampers 9i, and/or by controlling the intensity of ring of the severalgroups of burners, the quantity of heat absorbed in each of the severalpaths of fluid flow through tubes 28 and/or 29, and consequently thetemperature of the uid withdrawn from each of said paths of now may bereadily and closely controlled. With this arrangement, great flexibilityof temperature control may be obtained. Obviously, the dampers 9! mayall be maintained in fully opened position and the desired temperaturecontrol obtained by the proper control of the several groups oi'burners, due to the fact that the iiues 9D serve as a series of orificeswhich tend to distribute the ow of gases from the furnace irrespectiveof any throttling action in the flues.

By properly operating the dampers lill which control the several fiues|96Y connected to the lower p-art of the convection chamber i8, thedistribution of the heating gases over the convection bank of tubes 21may be controlled as desired.

One of the principal advantages of the invention resides in the factthat a single still may be employed for multi-stage distillation ofiiuids, such as petroleum oils. The oil for the rst stage may be passedthrough two paths of ow and heated to the desired temperature, while thebote toms from the first stage may be passed through the other two pathsof flow and heated to such higher temperature as may be desired.

It will of course be understood that the ar-` rangements of tubes,connecting headers and huid inlets and outlets may be otherwise than hasbeen described to provide the necessary paths of ilow through the still.rangement of the tubes and headers in the convection chamber I8 may beas shown in Figs. 12

For example, the ar' and will flow in alphabetical order through thetubes and headers of the rst path upwardly through the bank of tubes tothe tube .all in a manner similar to the manner previously described forthe ovv of uids through the paths of flow indicated in Figs. 10 and 1l.The fluid will be Withdrawn from tube all through connecting line l i twhich may deliver the fluid to the floor or roof tubes or both as tube31 does. The iiuid for the second path N will enter inlet il i to tubea13 from which it will be conducted through the tubes and headers of theconvection part of the path N to connecting line l l5 which may beconnected with the oor and roof tubes as tube 33 is connected. Fluid forthe third path O will enter inlet H2 to tube a15 and will flow throughthe convection part of this path until it reaches tube 215 in theuppermost row of the bank of tubes 2li and will be conducted therefromthrough connecting line i it, to the oor and roof tubes. The fluid forthe fourth path P will enter inlet l i3 to tube 0L17 and will flowthrough the convection part of this path until it reaches tube 217 inthe uppermost row of the convection bank and will be conducted therefromthrough connecting line H1 to the oor and roof tubes. With thisarrangement it will be seen that the inlets for the several paths offlow through the convection bank are all'at the same end of the tubebank. Other arrangements, of course, may be utilized if desired.

Obviously, it would be entirely within the limits of the invention toprovide a single path of iiuid flow through the convection section andprovide for the desired number of paths of flow through the radiant heatabsorbing section.

It will be understood that various modiiicationsl and alterations in theform, loc-ation and disposition of the various parts of the still shownand described, may be made without departing from the principles of theinvention. It will further be understood that the invention is not to belimited except by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of heating fluids which comprises passing the iiuidthrough a convection heating Zone to heat the fluid to a predeterminedtemperature, passing the iiuid in a plurality oi separate streamsthrough a radiant heat absorbing zone, subjecting the streams of uid inthe radiant heat absorbing :zone to the heat radiated from a pluralityof separate streams of products of combustion flowing through said zone,controlling the direction of flow of said streams of products ofcombustion through said zone to thereby control the quantity of heatabsorbed by each of said huid streams, introducing the products ofcombustion from the radiant heat absorbing zone into a collecting zonedisposed adjacent the convection heating zone and controlling the iiowof said products of combustion from the collecting zone through theconvection zone.

2. The method of heating oil which comprises passing the oil in aplurality of separate streams through a convection heat absorbing Zoneto heat the oil to a predetermined temperature, passing the oil from theconvection heat absorbing zone in a plurality of separate streamsthrough a radiant heat absorbing zone wherein the several streams of oilare subjec-ted to the heat radiated from a plurality of streams ofproducts of combustion flowing through the radiant heat absorbing Zone,controlling the direction of now of said streams of products ofcombustion 'through said radiant heat absorbing `zone to thereby controlthe quantity of heat absorbed by the oil in the several paths oi iiowthrough said zone, introducing the products of combustion from theradiant heatfabsorbing zone into a collecting zone disposed intermediatethe radiant heat absorbing zone and the convection heat absorbing zoneand controlling the flow of products of combustion from said collectingzone through the convection heat absorbing zone.

3. Apparatus for heating fluids comprising a convection heat absorbingchamber, means for passing the fluid through said chamber, a radiantheat absorbing chamber, means fo'r passing the fluid from the convectionheat absorbing chamber in a plurality of separate streams through theradiant heat absorbing chamber, means for effecting the combustion offuel to provide a plurality of separate streams of products oicombustion in the radiant heat absorbing chamber which normally flow insubstantially the direction of flow ci said fluid streams, each of saidstreams of products of combustion providing a source of radiant heat towhich the several streams of uid passing through the radiant heatabsorbing chamber are subjected, means for causing lateral displacementof the several streams of products of combustion in the radiant heatabsorbing chamber, means for introducing the products of combustion fromthe radiant heat absorbing chamber into the convection heat absorbingchamber, and means for controlling the distribution of the streams ofproducts of combustion in flowing through the convection heat absorbingchamber.

ll. Apparatus for heating fluids comprising 'a convection heat absorbingchamber, means for passing the fluid through said chamber, a radiant.

heat absorbing chamber, means for passing the fluid from the convectionheat absorbing chamber in a plurality of separate streams through theradiant heat absorbing chamber, means for effecting the combustion offuel to provide a plurality of separate streams of products ofcombustion in the radiant heat absorbing chamber which normally iiow insubstantially the direction of flow of said fluid streams, each of .saidstreams of products of combustion providing a source of radiant heat towhich the several streams of fluid passing through the radiant heatabsorbing chamber are subjected, means for controlling the direction offlow of the several streams of products of combustion through theradiant heat absorbing chamber, means for commingling the severalstreams of products of combustion subsequent to their passage throughthe radiant heat absorbing chamber, means for introducing said productsof combustion into the convection heat absorbing chamber and means forcontrolling the distribution of said products of combustion in iiowingthrough the convection heat absorbing chamber.

5. A tube still for heating oil and the like ccmprising side walls and aroof, a plurality of oil heating tubes disposed underand adjacent theroot, said tubes being arranged so as to provide a plurality of separatepaths oi flow of the oil through the tubes, a plurality oi separatemeans for eiiecting the combustion of fuel to provide a plurality ofseparate streams of products of combustion which are adapted to passthrough the still below said tubes, said means being disposed in one ofsaid walls, a plurality of iues in the opposite wall and means forcontrolling each of said flues to thereby control the direction of ow ofthe streams of products of combustion through said still.

6. A tube still for heating oil and the like which c-omprises side wallsanda roo-f, a plurality of tubes disposed under and adjacent the roof,said tubes being arranged to provide a plurality of separate paths offlow of the oil through the still,` a plurality of burners disposed inone ofv the Walls of the still, said burners being arranged to provide astream of products of combustion initially for each of the separatepaths of flow of the oil passing through the roof tubes, a flue for eachof said separate streams of products of combustion disposed in the wallof the still opposite the wall in which the burners are disposed andmeans for controlling each of said flues to control the direction offlow of the streams of products of combustion through the still tothereby control the quantity of heat absorbed by the oil in each of thepaths of flow.

7. lA tube still for heating oil and the like comprising a convectionheat absorbing chamber and a radiant heat absorbing chamber, a bank ofuidconveying tubes in the convection heat absorbing chamber, a pluralityof tubes in the radiant heat absorbing chamber, said tubes beingarranged to provide a plurality of separate paths of flow of the oilthrough the radiant heat absorbing chamber, a plurality of burners inthe radiant heat absorbing chamber, said burners being arranged toprovide a stream of rproducts of combustion in the radiant heatabsorbing chamber for each of the several paths of now of the oililowing through said chamber to heatthe oil in said paths of flowpreponderantly by radiation, a plurality of flues disposed oppositely tothe burners and connecting the radiant heat absorbing chamber andthefconvection heat absorbing chamber, and dampers `in said ues forcontrolling the ow of products of combustion therethrough. n f

8. A tube still for heating oil and the likecomprising a convection.heat absorbing 'chamber and a radiant heat absorbing chamber, a bank offluid conveying tubes in the convection heat absorbing chamber, aplurality of tubes in the radiant heat absorbing chamber, said tubesbeing arranged to provide a plurality of separate paths of ow of the oilthrough the radiant heat absorbing chamber, a plurality of burners inthe radiant heat absorbing chamber, said burners being arranged toprovide a stream of products of combustion in the radiant heat absorbingchamber for each of the several paths of flow of the oil iiowing throughsaid chamber, a plurality of ilues connecting the radiant heat absorbingchamber and the convection heat absorbing chamber, dampers in said fluesfor controlling' the flow of products of combustion therethrough, and acollecting chamber between said flues and the convection heatabsorbingchamber to commingle the streams of produc-ts of combustion prior totheir passage through the convection heat absorbing chamber.

9. A tube still for heating oil and the like comprising a convectionheat absorbing chamber, a radiant heat absorbing chamber, a bank offluid conveying tubes in the convection heat absorbing chamber, aplurality of tubes in the radiant heat absorbing chamber, said tubesbeing arranged so as to provide a plurality of separate paths of ow ofthe oil through the radiant heat absorbing chamber, a plurality of`burners in the radiant heat absorbing chamber, saidburners beingarranged to provide a stream of products of combustion in the radiantheat absorbing chamber foreach of the several paths of flow of the oilflowing through said chamber to heat the oil in said paths of :dowpreponderantly by radiation, a plurality of flues disposed oppositely tothe burners and adapted to conduct products of combustion to theconvection heat absorbing chamber, and dampers in said ilues forcontrolling the ow of the products of combustion therethrough.

10. Apparatus for heating uids comprising a single heating chamber,means for passing the fluid to be heated in a plurality of separatestreams through tubes disposed in the heating chamber, means foreffecting the combustion of fuel rto provide a plurality of separatestreams of products of combustion in the heating chamber, eac-h of` saidstreams of products of combustion normally owing adjacent andlongitudinally of the tubes through which ilows a fluid stream and insuch proximitythereto that heat radiated from the streams of products ofcombustion will be absorbed by and will principally heat the iluidstreams, means providing a plurality of passages communicating with theheating chamber through which the'streams of products of combustion flowin leaving the chamber, dampers in said passages,` and means forcontrolling the means for effecting the combustion of fuel tocon trolthe volume of products of combustion in each stream thereof to controlthe heat radiated therefrom to thereby control the temperature to whicheach of the uid streams is heated.

11. The method of heating fluids which comprises passing the fluid in aconned stream through a heating zone, subjecting the 'iluid principallyto the heat radiated from a stream of products of combustion ilowingthrough said zone out of the path of ow of the fluid, and controllingthe displacement of the stream of products of combustion from its normaldirection of ilow through said Zone in. a direction laterally of saidconiined stream, independently of the source of said stream, to therebycontrol the quantity of radiant heat absorbed by the fluid in theconfined stream.

12. The method of heating uids which-comprises passing the fluid in aplurality of separate confined streams through a heat absorbing Zone,subjecting the'fluid principally to the heat radiated from a pluralityof separate streams of products of combustion flowing through said zoneout of the paths of now of the fluid, and controlling the displacementof the several streams of products of combustion from their normaldirection of flow through said Zone in directions laterally of saidconfined streams respectively, independently of the source of saidstreams, to thereby control the quantity of radiant heat ab'- sorbed bythe fluid in each of the confined streams. i

13. The method of heating fluids which comprises passing the fluidthrough a first heating zone to heat the iluid to a predeterminedtemperature, passing the iluid from said first heating zone in aplurality of separate streams through a secondheating Zone, subjectingsaid plurality of fluid streams principally to the heat radiated from aplurality of streams of yproducts of combustion normally flowing throughthe second heating Zone in substantially the direction of ow of saidfluid streams, and controlling the displacement ofthe several streams ofproducts of combustion from their normal 'direction of fiovv through thesecond heating zone in directions laterally of said confined streamsrespectively, to'thereby control the quantity of radiant heat absorbedby each of the several streams of fluid ow, at least one of said fluidstreams absorbing a quantity of heat diiierent from that absorbed by theother streams.

14. Apparatus for heating iiuids comprising a heating chamber, means forpassing the duid to be heated in a plurality of separate streams throughthe heating chamber, each stream having a separate outlet from thechamber, means for controlling said outlets, means for effecting thecombustion of fuel to provide a plurality of separate streams ofproducts of combustion in the heating chamber which normally now insubstantially the direction of flow of said fluid streams and whichprovide sources of heat for said fluid streams, and means for causinglateral displacement of said streams of products of combustion in theheating chamber to thereby control the quantity of heat absorbed by eachof the several streams of fluid.

l5. Apparatus for heating fluids comprising a radiant heat absorbingchamber, means for passing the fluid to be heated in a plurality ofseparate streams through the heating chamber, each stream having aseparate outlet from the chamber, means for controlling the outlets,means for effecting combustion of fuel to provide a plurality ofseparate streams of products of combustion in the heating chamber whichnormally flow in substantially the direction of flow of said fluidstreams, each of said streams of products of combustion providing asource of radiant heat to which the several duid streams are subjected,and means for causing lateral displacement of said streams of productsof combustion from their normal direction of flow through the heatingchamber to thereby control the quantity of radiant heat absorbed by eachof the several fiuid streams.

16. The method of heating fluids which comprises passing the fiuid in aplurality of separate conned streams through a single heat absorbingzone, causing a plurality of streams of products of combustion to flowthrough the heat absorbing Zone, each of the last mentioned streamsnormally novving adjacent only one of the fluid streams so that thelatter are heated principally by the absorption of heat radiated fromthe streams of products of combustion, causing the streams of produc-tsof combustion to iiow from the heat absorbing zone through a pluralityof openings, and controlling the volume of the products of combustion ineach of the streams thereof to control the heat radiated therefrom tothereby control the temperature to which each of the uid streams isheated; at least one of said fluid streams absorbing a quantity of heatdifferent from that absorbed by the other streams,

l'l. Apparatus for heating fluids comprising a single heating chamber,means for passing the fluid to be heated in a plurality of separatestreams through the heating chamber, means for effecting the combustionof fuel to provide a plurality of separate streams of products ofcombustion in the heating chamber, each of said streams of products ofcombustion flowing substantially longitudinally of and adjacent to afluid stream and in such proximity thereto that heat radiated from thestreams of products of combustion will be absorbed by and willprincipally heat the fluid streams, means providing a plurality ofpassages communicating with the heating chamber through which thestreams of products of` combustion flo-W in leaving'the chamber, meansfor controlling the passages, and means for controlling the means foreffecting the combustion of fuel to control the volume of products ofcombustion in eachstream thereof to control the heat radiated therefromto thereby control the temperature to which each of the fluid streams isheated,

18. A tube still for heating fluids comprising Walls enclosing a singleheating chamber, tubes disposed adjacent one of the Walls and arrangedto provide a plurality of separate streams of the fluid through thechamber, burners disposed in a second Wall intersecting the first Wallandv arranged to provide a plurality' of streams of products ofcombustion, one for each of the fluid streams, a plurality of fluesdisposed in a third Wall opposite the second Wall through which thestreams of products of combustion ow upon leaving the chamber, saidflues being arranged so that a stream of productsof combustion normallyflows longitudinally of the tubes through which flows each fluid streamand in such proximity that heat radiated from the streams of products ofcombustion Will be absorbed by and principally heat the uid streams,means for controlling the flues, and means for controlling the burnersto control the volume of products of combustion in each stream thereofto control the quantity of heat radiated therefrom to thereby controlthe temperature to which each fluid stream is heated.

19. A tube still comprising a radiant heat absorbing chamber and aconvection heat absorbing chamber, a Wall separating said chambers, aplurality of uid conveying tubes in the convection chamber, a pluralityof fluid conveying tubes in the radiant heat absorbing chamber disposedadjacent the roof thereof and arranged so as to provide a plurality ofseparate fluid streams which flow through the radiant heat absorbingchamber, a plurality of burners disposed in the Wall of said stillopposite the Wall separating said chambers, said burners being arrangedto provide a `plurality of separate streams of products of combustionwhich ovv through the radiant heat absorbing chamber, one stream ofproducts of combustion for each fluid stream, a plurality of flues equalin number to the streams of products of combustion in the Wallseparating said chambers and disposed in the upper portion of said lastmentioned Wall and through which the streams of products of combustionflow from the radiant heat absorbing chamber into the convectionchamber, said flues being arranged so that the streams of products ofcombustion normally flow under and longitudinally of the tubes throughwhich flows the uid streams passing through said roof tubes, means forcontrolling the flues, and means for controlling said burners to controlthe volume of'products of combustion in each of the streams thereof tocontrol the heat radiated therefrom to thereby control the temperatureto which the fluid in each of said streams is heated. y

20. The method of heating uids which comprises passing fluid in aplurality of confined streams through a heating Zone having a pluralityof outlet openings through which products of combustion flow from saidzone, subjecting the fluid to the heat of a plurality of streams ofproducts of combustion owing through said zone in substantially thedirection of iiow of the fluid streams, and controlling the displacementof the several streams of products of combustion from their normaldirection of loW through said zone .in directions laterally of saidconilned streams respectively, by controlling thepoints at which theproducts of combustion ow from said zone to thereby control the quantityof heat absorbed by the fluid in each of the confined streams, at leastone of said' fluid streams absorbing a quantity of heat different fromthat absorbed by the said openings, means for passing uid in a. connedstream through the chamber, f means providing a stream of products ofcombustion in the chamber which normally iows in substantially thedirection of ow of the uid stream, and l means forcausing andcontrolling the lateral displacement of the stream of products ofcombustion in the chamber by controlling the point at Whichthe productsof combustion iiow from v said chamber to thereby control thequantity of10 heat absorbed by the fluid in the confined stream.

COURTLANDT F. DENNEY.

